Expanding to the Peach State

In the near future the city of Cairo will be welcoming a brand new industry to town. A Florida company is expanding across the border giving the community a much-needed economic boost.

By the end of the year, Higdon Furniture, a manufacturing company based out of Quincy, Florida, will be opening its doors in Cairo on Wight Road. City officials say now the city's grim unemployment rate may have a brighter outlook.

City and county officials are poised to break ground, welcoming Cairo's newest industry, Higdon Furniture Company, and at the same time, officials say, on the path to putting the pieces of the city's economy back together.

"There is definitely a need for jobs in this community. Good thing about Higdon is not only so they pay a good wage, but they also provide benefits, retirement and various other benefits," says Charles Stafford.

The 112,000 square foot manufacturing plant will bring up to 100 jobs to the area within the next year, benefiting the citizens in the community as well as the flourishing business.

"We just needed to expand, we needed more production. We worked with the Chamber of Commerce here in Grady County and they've put the package together, and we're looking forward to moving up here," says Warren Higdon.

Stafford says with this new business moving in, the city can make up for the jobs lost in the last five years, in addition, opening the doors for future development.

"Within the next five-year period we can have anywhere from 300 or more jobs here. This is just the beginning," says Stafford.

Another economic impact to mention is that city officials say the company will purchase 80 percent of its supplies from south Georgia companies. Construction will begin in the next two weeks. The hiring won't start until the next seven months.

For more information you can contact the local Department of Labor in Cairo at 229-377-6526.

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